Adhan (Azaan) is the Islamic call to prayer, recited by the Muezzin. The root of the word is 'dn "to permit", and another derivative of this word is "udun", meaning "ear".

Adhan is called out by the Muezzin from a Minaret of a Mosque five times a day summoning Muslims for Fard (mandatory) Salah (prayers). There is a second call known as "Iqama" that summons Muslims to line up for the beginning of the prayers.

The line "Prayer is better than sleep" is used only for the first prayers of the day at dawn (fajr salat).

The line "I bear witness that Ali is the vicegerent of God" is only recited by Shia, but not as a part of the Adhan. Rather, according to them it is preferable and, although not mandatory, most of them recite it. Phrases like "Ameer-ul-Mu'mineen" (The commander of the faithful), "wa abna'unhu al-ma'soomeen hujjaju Allah" (and his infallible sons are the proofs of God), may be added to the end of that line. Sometimes, this line may be only recited once, or a variation of it may be recited the second time (such as "ash'hadu anna aliyyan amir al-mo'mineena wali'ul-lah" - I bear witness that Ali, The Commander of the Faithful is the Friend of Allah) as a sign that it is not actually part of the Adhan. Shia repeat the last line twice instead of once.

Sunni view

Sunnis state that the adhan was not written or said by Muhammad, but by one of his Sahabah (his companions), a freed Ethiopian slave by the name of Bilal ibn Ribah. However, Muhammad did choose adhan as the Islamic call to prayer in place of the bell or conch used by Christians, or the shofar (ram's horn), used by Jews

During the Friday prayer (Salat Al Jummah), there are two adhans; the first is to call the people to the mosque, the second is said before the Imam begins the khutbah (sermon). Just before the prayers start, someone recites the iqama as in all prayers.

Shia view

Shi'a sources state that it is Muhammad who, according to God's command, ordered the adhan as a means of calling Muslims to prayer. Shi'a Islam teaches that no one else contributed, or had any authority to contribute, towards the composition of the adhan.

Shi'a Islam teaches that God appoints a vicegerent on Earth for every generation. It teaches that although Muhammad is God's final Prophet and Messenger, Ali was the first of God's twelve vicegerents to succeed Muhammad in order to maintain the muslim nation as it was perfected by the seal of the Prophets; Muhammed. See also: wali